In one of the most arid places on the earth, in the heart of rural Ethiopia, a light and elegant structure stands between the villages: it is the Warka Water Toweran invention that seems to have come out of a science fiction novel but which, however, is the result of research, innovation and profound respect for nature. Designed by the Italian architect Arturo Vittorithis bamboo tower is able to “milk” the clouds, collecting up to 100 liters of drinking water per day. All without electricity, pumps or modern pipes. Only with the strength of gravity and the wisdom of natural materials.
Ancient technology and local materials
There Warka Water It takes its name from an Ethiopian tree, the warka, which traditionally symbolizes the community and the link with the earth. The tower, about 10 meters and weight of only 80 kgis built entirely with local materialslike Bamboo, natural ropes and recyclable fabrics. Its shape is inspired by traditional baskets and geodesic structures, with a design that combines aesthetic and functionality.
Inside there is one Special Polyester Networkdesigned to capture the humidity of the air, the morning dew and even the fog. The drops of water, condense on this net, slide along the surface until they collect in a tank at the base. No energy consumption, no complex maintenance. Alone design intelligence and respect for the environment.
An idea born from a trip and become a model replicable all over the world
The idea was born in 2012, when Arturo Vittori, affected by the living conditions in the most remote areas of Ethiopia, decided to intervene concretely. In those places, Women and children walk for kilometers every day To recover non -drinking water from well -contaminated pools and courses. There Warka Tower He wants to change this scenario, offering a Free and safe source of drinking wateravailable directly in the villages.
From the first prototype installed in the Dorze regionthe tower has attracted international interest. Today it is replicated in other countries such as Cameroon, Haiti, India and Togoand the project has evolved into a wide platform of sustainable solutions: from Warka Garden To cultivate food, to Warka toilet To guarantee hygiene and dignity, up to Warka Housean ecological home model for local communities.
There Warka Water Tower It is not just a structure: it is a symbol. Represents what happens when innovation and sustainability meetwhen the design puts itself at the service of the most vulnerable people. In a world where over 2 billion people do not have access to drinking water, projects like this show that The solution can also come from simple materialslike bamboo, and from a mind open to change.
A documentary was also carried out from this experience that tells the story of how this community in difficulty has managed to improve its life thanks to the collective project of Arturo Vittori:
